BUFFALO BANNER PROJECT

We believe that thinking critically about local monuments to colonialism is an essential aspect of (re)conciliation. Thus, in the fall of 2020, we presented Buffalo Avenue Art Action in partnership with Buffalo Peoples Art Institute (BPAI) and the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan. It was a cold and windy day when local residents joined us to create and display a work of art in support of the proposed renaming of Dewdney Avenue to Buffalo Avenue. This inspired to work with Indigenous artist, activist, and cultural educator Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway of BPAI to create The Buffalo Banner Project, presented as part of our Respond to Racism program. 

The Buffalo Banner Project aimed to generate a dialogue on how Regina’s public spaces can reflect the values and histories of all residents in support of building capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect. Joely presented 14 workshops to local schools and community groups focused on sharing traditional knowledge and historical education around the buffalo and the impacts of colonization on Plains Indigenous peoples. This set the foundation for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants to develop intercultural understanding and identify the effect of power and privilege on our collective history. This educational aim was further supported through the development of the Buffalo Banner Resource Guide which was distributed to participants and made available via our website. 

Once participants developed a shared understanding of the importance of the buffalo, they worked with Joely to create two-dimensional artworks that used the image of the buffalo as central to the design. In total, 172 artworks were submitted and adjudicated by a jury made up of BPAI representatives, local elders, and Common Weal staff. 15 artworks were selected and featured on lamp post banners hung on Dewdney Avenue throughout National Indigenous History Month (from June 7 to July 31). Additionally, all 172 artworks were photo-documented and formed part of the post-project booklet, which was printed and shared with the participants and made available via our website. Additionally, all artworks were screened as part of Buffalo Day Festival organized by BPAI, which took place on July 1 as an alternative to Canada Day celebrations.